How can Dental Fillings Protect my Oral Health?

Most people will stare at you when you tell them they need to visit a dentist to have their cavities treated. Since cavities don’t cause any pain, many patients aren’t keen to take proactive care to curb their spread. But guess what? If left untreated, what looked like innocuous holes will develop into larger holes that cause tooth decay and eventually tooth loss!

Fortunately, your dental cavities don’t have to grow large, causing tooth decay. Tooth-colored fillings from Crestwood Dental Group can arrest the situation while you still have time. Dental fillings seal off your tooth, protecting it from further decay.

Dental fillings procedure

Dental fillings are one of the most common dental procedures, and you might have received one at some point in your life. While a dental filling might be a straightforward procedure, it might not feel like so if you are seated in the dentist’s chair. However, getting to know what’s involved in the process can help calm your nerves.

Here is a typical dental filling procedure.

• Evaluation: Before embarking on any treatment, Dr. James Maxwell comprehensively examines your mouth to look out for any signs of cavities. And because some cavities hide between teeth (interproximal cavities), we take dental x-rays to leave nothing to chance.
• Anesthesia: In a typical cavity filling process, your dentist numbs the surrounding tissues to make the treatment comfortable. However, Dr. Maxwell uses laser dentistry – Waterlase – to clean and remove the decayed tooth. We prefer Waterlase because it’s safe and results in minimal drilling, which triggers dental anxiety in many patients.
• Application: The next step is to apply a composite resin substance to cover up your cavities. The material is applied layer by layer and then hardened by a special light to cement it firmly on the tooth.
• Polishing: Finally, your dentist tests your bite, smoothens out any rough edges, and polishes your tooth to ensure your filling matches your natural teeth.

After a cavity is installed, it can last over 10 years with proper care. All you need to do is brush twice a day, floss daily, and visit your dentist every six months for a checkup.

Advantages of tooth-colored fillings

While cavity fillings can be created from gold and metal alloys, composite resin (tooth-colored) fillings make the best option for cavity fillings. At Crestwood Dental Group, we prefer tooth-colored dental fillings because they are:

• Aesthetically pleasing: Since metal fillings are usually conspicuous when smiling or eating, tooth-colored fillings blend perfectly with your natural teeth – so no one will notice you have tooth fillings.
• Safer: Conventional silver amalgam fillings expand and contract with temperature changes, leading to cracks. On the other hand, composite fillings don’t change in shape or size, even when temperatures change, making them safer.
• Minimally invasive: Getting tooth-colored fillings involves the removal of a small portion of your tooth, unlike traditional metal fillings.
• Long-lasting: With proper care, tooth-colored fillings can last as long as 15 years.

Are you ready to get in control over your cavities? Don’t wait any longer! Instead, pick your phone and dial (314) 463-5655 to book an appointment with Crestwood Dental Group for tooth-colored fillings that will preserve your teeth for many, many years to come.

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